FAQ: Do I need to use Betta Basics even if I’m not doing a water change?

Technically speaking, you only "need" to add Betta Basics when either a) your pH is slipping outside your preferred range, b) you are adding new water to the tank, or c) you have detected ammonia or nitrite in the system that needs to be detoxified. Most betta keepers do not regularly test their water for ammonia, nitrite, or pH, and want a simple solution that will condition, buffer, and detoxify all at once without fear of overdose. For this reason, we recommend to add the product once a week, even if you are not doing a water change, as this will ensure that your pH remains at neutral and that any minor spikes in ammonia or nitrite are detoxified before they can do damage to the fish.